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HB 5196

Relating to allowing intergovernmental agreements with the Land Stewardship Corporation

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lori Dittman and 6 co-sponsors

West Virginia bill authorizes state intergovernmental agreements with nonprofit Land Stewardship Corporation for unspecified conservation and land management purposes.

To House Government Organization
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Bill Summary · HB 5196

Legislative bill overview

HB 5196 authorizes West Virginia to enter into intergovernmental agreements with the Land Stewardship Corporation, a nonprofit organization focused on land conservation and management. The bill removes legal barriers that currently prevent such collaborative partnerships between state government and this specific entity.

Why is this important

Intergovernmental agreements can expand conservation efforts, public land access, or environmental stewardship programs without requiring direct state appropriations or traditional government implementation. The outcome depends entirely on what the Land Stewardship Corporation would do under any resulting agreement.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of specificity: The bill authorizes agreements but provides no details about scope, funding, oversight, or accountability mechanisms, making it difficult to assess actual impacts
  • Private entity authority: Delegating government functions to a nonprofit raises questions about public transparency, conflict of interest, and whether private organizations should wield government-delegated power
  • Undefined fiscal implications: No budget impact statement is evident, leaving unclear whether this creates unfunded obligations or diverts existing resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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